BUKIDNON – The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program eyes a possible partnership with the non-government organization, Hineleban Foundation Incorporated, as discussed in their meeting last January 15, 2018 at the Hineleban Farm, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Hineleban Foundation, Inc. focuses on the restoration of the environment and provision of sustainable livelihood for Lumads and the Bangsamoro. With the foundation’s goals for our indigenous peoples, SAAD saw the opportunity to collaborate with the organization.

Hinebelan officials, Dr. Urroj Malik, Dr. Norma Llemit and Ms. Renee Perrine, oriented the SAAD team on the foundation’s thrusts and projects. The meeting was then followed by a tour around the Hinebelan Farm that showed the agricultural technologies being promoted by the foundation.

According to Hineleban officials, the foundation also has successful models which the SAAD can adopt or support. It was then agreed upon that the Hinebelan team will meet with Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 and later submit a proposal for possible SAAD funding.

The meeting was attended by SAAD National Program Management Office Director Bernadette San Juan and cluster heads, SAAD Regional Program Management Support Office 10 staff, Bukidnon Provincial Agriculturist staff, Manolo Fortich Municipal Agriculturist and staff, and Hineleban officials.

Hineleban means “the spirit of the gathering and giving Mother Tree of the Rainforest that sustains the cycle of all life”.

You can visit Hineleban Foundation, Inc.’s website at hineleban.org. ###

Writer: Jean Amoloza, SAAD PR and Communications Officer